Sad, very, very sad. Despite the years, she still maintains a certain dignity and elegance that cannot be erased by neglect, abuse, and the uncaring elements of nature..
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| Posted by Tom on November 6, 2012 | |
So very well said, Mr. Brown. Sad, sad, sad, but still I appreciate seeing this shot.
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She's slated for restoration, but other projects have gotten in the way over the years. With the relatively-new restoration shop, I think she has a good future ahead of her.
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| Posted by on November 6, 2012 | |
Thanks, Mitch. The big GG1 (sorry, but there's no "dash", RP.net...) was always a favorite of mine, dating to the first time I ever saw one roar down the Pennsy main through Folcroft, PA, a Philly suburb on the main line to DC. I was awestruck. One hopes the 4876 could be restored to Pennsy green with cat whiskers one day. This is an excellent shot.
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Is that one of those rounded-top European-looking B & O box cars the GG1 is coupled to? I don't know if B & O afficianados had a nickname for those cars but I remember them from my elementary age boyhood.
I'll also fondly remember the Penn Central GG1 in Washington, D.C. crawling up next to Jack Nicholson's rough-and-tumble navy sailor and honking its horn in the movie "The last detail".
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| Posted by on November 6, 2012 | |
Yes sir...that B&O boxcar is a "wagon top." They also had some bay window cabooses with the same roof design.
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Cool shot! I have ridden behind 4876 so many years ago. I certainly hope for her recovery. At least she is not a bunch of cat food containers...For another perspective, you can see my shot of 4876 |
It is almost to bad someone cannot restore one to modern standards to run today down the northeast corridor. Having a couple of these running at 150mph would be great too see.
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That's a sad pic... Here in the UK, we call a racehorse a 'GeeGee'. The GG1s were the Pennsy's racehorses. Hope this ol' gal doesn't become glue...
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It'd be cool to see one restored in PC colors (or lack of).
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Two things sidelined the GG-1's.First was to many cracks in the frames,they could only weld so many before they were illegal.Second,was a cancer causing oil in the transformer,I can't remember the name of it,pyranol,or something like that.I really doubt that you will ever restore one to operating condition with these issues.
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Gordon, the name of the oil in the transformers escapes me too - but it was more commonly referred to by it's initials of PCB's. The PCB's of a GG1 (or GG-1 if you prefer the hyphen) and the susceptible nature of the body and frames to crack were the main demise of these locomotives. Not to mention the re-wiring one would have to do to upgrade from the insulated wires and power cables wrapped in asbestos to fully compliant AEP standards today. Even if one were "upgraded" to modern standard compliance it would not be a FULLY authentic restored GG1/-1.
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